The AIA Council and the AIA Awards Committee

Are Pleased to Announce the 2017 AIA Awards

The Distinguished Agrologist Awards

Council may present an A.I.A. “Distinguished Agrologist” Award to a member of the Institute for professional distinction associated with an outstanding accomplishment in Agrology, which is recognized provincially or regionally within the province of Alberta.

For 2017, the AIA Council presents the Distinguished Agrologist Award to:

Dr. Alan Kennedy, PAg As an environmental scientist with over 35 years of experience in environmental management in the energy sector, Dr. Alan Kennedy has crafted, guided and evolved the development of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) extensively though out Canada and internationally. Notably, as the Environmental Manager for Imperial Oil on the MacKenzie Gas Pipeline Project, he helped shepherd a decades long process to a project approval. In his dealings with First Nations and Inuvialuit, Alan brought the term “Social Impact Assessment” into EIAs. That achievement led to his leadership in EIAs and land reclamation practices in Canada’s and Russia’s North, Africa and the USA. Read More

Leonard (Len) Knapik, PAg Len Knapik is one of the pioneers in the transition of soils assessment and land reclamation to private industry in Alberta. As an initial member of Pedology Consultants and then his own firm Pedocan Land Evaluation Ltd., Len trained two generations of soil scientists in soil classification and land reclamation. Len’s comprehensive understanding of soil processes (pedology) made him an effective collaborator with professionals in other disciplines. His professional accountability set the standard for PAgs working in reclamation and led to the recognition of the core role agrologists play in land reclamation. Read More

Paul Thiel, PAg Paul Thiel is Vice-President, Product Development & Regulatory Science with Bayer (Crop Science Division). He made important contributions to crop breeding research particularly hybrid canola (InVigor) and winter wheat varieties. But his most notable contribution is his ability to identify emerging issues, engage in collaborative, thoughtful discussions to develop innovative policy based on sound science for Canada’s agricultural industry. His thoughtful, active listening makes his mentorship and leadership highly valued across agricultural industry associations in Canada and internationally. Read More

The Professional Recognition Awards

Council may present an A.I.A. “Professional Recognition” Award to a member of the Institute who is being recognized for their special service or has made a significant contribution to the betterment of the AIA.

For 2017, the AIA Council presents the Professional Recognition Award to:

Sandra Landsburg, PAg Sandra Landsburg’s career sets high standards for land reclamation specialists and agrologists. In service to her peers, she has authored numerous papers to share her knowledge, volunteered with the Alberta Soil Science Workshop, Canadian Land Reclamation Association, the Alberta Institute of Agrologists and numerous other organizations nationally and in her community. But her greatest contribution to her fellow agrologists is her passion for the field of soil science and her professionalism and ethical practice as a consulting agrologist. Read More

Elise Faryna, RT(Ag) Elise Faryna is a land reclamation professional with a reputation for handling large, complex, potentially litigious reclamation and remediation projects with success. She gives back to her profession; she serves on the board of directors for the Alberta chapter of the Canadian Land Reclamation Association. Her hands-on ability in soils and vegetation assessment helps gain the trust of landowners and the respect of clients, fellow agrologist and non-agrology professionals. Read More

The Outstanding Young Agrologist Award

Council may present an A.I.A. “Outstanding Young Agrologist” Award to a member who is under the age of 35 at the time the award presentation and is being recognized for the outstanding achievement(s) in and service to Agrology within the Province of Alberta. The nominee must have been a member of the AIA for at least five years.

For 2017, the AIA Council presents the Outstanding Young Agrologist Award to:

Esther Vonkeman-Roset, PAg Esther Vonkeman-Roset is notable as a young agrologist, whose field experience is respected by her peers and her past Lethbridge College instructors -who have put her back in the classroom as a guest lecturer. She also served on the Environmental Science Advisory Committee at Lethbridge College. She is active with the AIA Lethbridge Branch, and is a former executive member. She is an accomplished oboe player, and performs with a number of groups throughout Lethbridge. ” Read More

The Outstanding Young Technologist in Agrology Award

Council may present an A.I.A. “Outstanding Young Technologist in Agrology” Award to a member who is under the age of 35 at the time the award presentation and is being recognized for the outstanding achievement(s) in and service to Agrology within the Province of Alberta. The nominee must have been a member of the AIA for at least five years.

For 2017, the AIA Council presents the Outstanding Young Technologist in Agrology Award to:

Kirk Elliott, RT(Ag) Kirk Elliott is a partner at Trace Associates working in land remediation, reclamation and spill response. Kirk Elliott hews close to his south-west Saskatchewan ranch roots. He has the reputation of being a quiet, hardworking, willing co-worker. But his fellow land reclamation professionals and clients have discovered that Kirk is a “great listener, quick learner, great collaborator” who strives for excellence. His professionalism and quiet leadership led to Kirk becoming the youngest Partner at Trace Associates. Read More

The Honorary Member Award

Council may present an A.I.A. “Honorary Member” Award to an individual who would not be eligible for membership in the Institute and who has achieved recognition of distinction associated with outstanding accomplishment or contributions to any field of Agrology in Alberta.

For 2017, the AIA Council presents the Honorary Member Award to:

Dr. David Chalack, DVM Dr. David Chalack is a veterinarian, a judge of dairy cattle, breeder of award-winning Holstein cattle and a driving force in attracting investment and scientists to Alberta in cattle genomics. But his consistent contribution though his career has been as a leader and catalyst to advance Alberta’s and Canada’s agricultural industry. Read More

The Lifetime Member Award

A “Lifetime Member” Award shall be awarded no more than once every three years. The award shall be chosen by the AIA Council and nominated only by the Council members.

For 2017, the AIA Council presents the Lifetime Member Award to:

Don Hoover, PAg Don Hoover became a PAg in 1967. Fifty years later, Don Hoover’s career as a PAg opened private industry consulting to agricultural economists, agricultural land appraisers and farm management advisors. The Canadian consulting agrology sector owes a significant debt to Don’s trail blazing and leadership. To the larger agrology community, his performance as an expert witness dealing with land value and farm management issues established respect for the knowledge and integrity of agrologists with other professions. His leadership and volunteer work in AIA set personal and professional standards for agrologists as he worked in AIA to develop a Code of Ethics and then a Code of Conduct for its members. Read More